Leona auditioned for the 2006 series of The X Factor by singing “Over the Rainbow”, and whilst being mentored by Simon Cowell, survived through to the final stages where she was pronounced winner on the final episode of The X Factor on 16th December 2006. Leona won a £one million recording contract which, unlike many of the winners of reality shows, we still see her around today!
Leona's wide vocal range of four octaves impressed all three of The X Factor judges, and despite an obvious lack in confidence, she was compared to the divas such as Mariah Carey, Celine Dion and Whitney Houston. The modesty of Leona really impressed Simon Cowell because he believed it was what made her special!
On the final episode of the show, Leona won with 60% of the eight million votes after singing “A Million Love Songs” with Take That (Gary Barlow was very impressed by her), and also “All By Myself”. So it was, Leona Lewis became the winner of the 2006 series of The X Factor, and released her debut single “A Moment Like This”.
Leona's music has gone on to break two records already, and we're all expecting great music from Leona!